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Louis, July 31st 188 5 My dear Walt— I enclose a check for ten dollars payable to your order—the money

say the heat was greater on the street level than it has been since 1838—it was 102 in the shade at my

"Liberty" (Tucker's paper) for a very good little memoriam of Wm O'Connor, by my young friend Traubel

address)— I hear from Dr Bucke often—he is well & busy at his Institution, London, Canada—I hear f'm my

felt and displayed, practicaly practically the warmest sympathy for her—Dr Rutherford had insisted on my

you of her sickness that it would worry you, but I consider her in extreme danger, and felt it to be my

The discussion after my paper, in which Sanborn took a main part, was full of interest, & there was a

general agreement with my position, & that part based on Leaves of Grass in especial.

called up on us with her Sister. she said was acquainted with your brothers family. her Sister lived in my

I got your Picture on Broadway near 28 st for my Friend Mrs Edward Smith the head of the C lothing Firm

[London, Ontario] 4 Dec [188]6 My dear Walt The "After All" parcel came to hand last evening to my great

and now this is my third epistle to you, so I shall claim a word from you when you are able to write.

My sister & Dr. Channing both ask for you with the greatest interest, & Jeannie , Mrs.

But yet I must exchange my token for yours—brazen for golden gifts, as the Greek poet said.

The misfortune of my poem is that it presupposes much knowledge of antiquity—as for instance that this

My life since we parted that July day upon the Treasury steps, has been one of hard work and little recreation

I have written so much of myself simply because you asked me of myself— My Dear Friend I hope and believe

I lost nearly half of my Co but we won the fight and the rebel loss was pretty heavy.

We have had the best of the fighting so far and its my opinion that Genl Grant has got Lee in a pretty

to here hear from you very much This leaves me well thank God but I have been sick most all winter my

wife is sick at presant present But the Lord has been good to me in past and I know if I put my trust

even though only in thought and by letter, though ere long I hope to see you face to face, for He, my

To thee I offer my affection, for that is all I can, but may we meet ere long. So long.

My sister the wife of Rev Dr Shields of Bristol is very very ill— She is one of the noblest and best

It is my sister Sallie. W m R.

ONTARIO London, Ont., 16 Dec 188 8 The books did not arrive last ev'g to my great disgust.

My chief interest now is the pat , I trust I shall hear tomorrow morning that you are easier Always your

greatest admiration for him and the magnificent way he has behaved all through—I hope it may be in my

power someday to show my appreciation of his excellent qualities in some practical way.

ONTARIO London, Ont., 17 Sept 188 8 Your letter of 10th with enclosures came during my absence in Sarnia

As soon as you know the publisher's name & city tell me then I can tell my English bookseller to look

snow—I write a few words to O'C every other day or so nothing further rec'd f'm there— Evn'g : have had my

of the best pictures ever made—Mr & Mrs: Harned paid me a nice visit this mn'g—(the madame is one of my

Whitman: "Because you have, as it were, given me a ground for the love of men I thank you continually in my

but must send it sure before long—he has made & sent me a fragmentary trans: of part that I have had my

is Edw'd Carpenter's, as you will see —( Nov: B is more likely to be read and take than any other of my

Whitman: "Because you have, as it were, given me a ground for the love of men I thank you continually in my

ASYLUM FOR THE INSANE LONDON, ONTARIO London, Ont. 8 Nov 188 9 It is after tea (7 P.M.), I am over in my

soon as I get a few hundred that I can spare (and I look for that time to come very soon now) it is my

Graham bread toasted, & a cup of chocolate—ate pretty well (this & yesterday are favorable days)—In my

eating neither at all ascetic nor sumptuous—pass two hours to-day putting my autograph to the poetic

dinner—two hours—every thing just right every way—a dozen people there, (the family & relatives)—for my

done & will be in the market in a month or so—all about it has proceeded satisfactorily—& I have had my

I do not like to write this way but I think you ought to know my candid opinion.

The 1864 picture you gave me the other day is setting up on the bookshelf at my right hand looking at

to learn he has never been to school as the school is about 2 miles off but he can read right smart. my

would be very happy to see you, we all send our best respects to you and all your friends. you will see my

To give you a definitive idea of what I meant in my notes of March 8 and March 19—& of course stick to—I

The whole thing would not involve an expense of more than from 5 to $10— My proposition is that we at

If you have, I wish you would give me a line of introduction to him for my brother Bertie (Albert) who

Next week (as you will see by my enclosed circular) I am to speak in Chickering Hall on Literary London—rather

There is nothing important or new in my affairs here—I am still in the same Office—find my work mild

written to arrange a meeting—he asks me to stay with him (the people here are very kind if I accepted all my

Here we have had no warm weather—I have worn my over-coat so far all the time.

I found your letter and Mrs Gilchrists and Mr Carpenters on my return, and we were much alarmed at first

I can hardly tell about my trip, but when you return, it will be as well, and you have passed over so

Whitman: "Because you have, as it were, given me a ground for the love of men I thank you continually in my

Asylum for the Insane, London, March 18 18 80 My dear Walt I send you today a London paper with a sample

—Please let me know at once if this plan meets your approval Many of my friends have an extraordinary

Camden N J—U S America noon July 8 '91 Nothing very new or different in my condition—relish'd quite a

small reliefs)—again I inform you the birth-day supper acc't is to be in August Lippincott (it was my

Monday May 14, '60 My dear Walt : I spent much time yesterday reading your poems, and am more charmed

I want to do great things for you with the book, and as soon as I get over my immediate troubles will

One of my fellow clerks has taken a seat for me, & made me a present of it—the play is "Queen Elisabeth

I am writing this by my big window, where I can look out on the water—the sun is shining bright as silver

W. reading Century which he laid down on my entrance. Reported his health "rather on the improve."

book: I'm still uncertain where he is—whether he has yet got back to West Park or not: I addressed my

Didn't my lower stomach shout to my upper stomach with loud halloos!

My talk with him must have sunk in.

I remember what poor William says: he says I always like my idiot pictures best!"

My dear Traubel:First, business. I received from W.

My literary and thought delving days are more a memory than a possession kept bright by use.

of mending my many times broken fortunes.

Remarked that he had not made many changes in my manuscript.

And to my "probably"—"Well, I shall be glad: your package is ready."

As I Lay with My Head in Your Lap Camerado

Spoke of this before he had answered my questions about his health.

"I am not well yet by any means, but then a man in my condition counts little things."

The worst of it is I am very unsteady on my feet and some day shall have a fall—trip."

Sent up by me to my father a picture of Dr. Bucke for him to see.

He had written on the back of it: "My friend Dr. R. M. Bucke came Oct: 15 '88".

Called my attention to several matters, and as I sat down and read he pored over the papers—patiently

him what I had heard, but that as he was flitting all along the road I should be compelled to take my

If it has come into use, it has come lately—for in my time there was no exaggerated emphasis.

Adding after my assent: "That is my conviction too. Here was Leaves of Grass in gestation.

"It is better," he said to my assurance, "better beyond a doubt.

1 O TAKE my hand Walt Whitman! Such gliding wonders! such sights and sounds!

change of the light and shade, I see distant lands, as real and near to the inhabitants of them as my

see Hermes, unsuspected, dying, well-belov'd, saying to the people Do not weep for me, This is not my

race, I see the results of the perseverance and industry of my race, I see ranks, colors, barbarisms

side.) 13 My spirit has pass'd in compassion and determination around the whole earth, I have look'd

1 O TAKE my hand Walt Whitman! Such gliding wonders! such sights and sounds!

change of the light and shade, I see distant lands, as real and near to the inhabitants of them as my

see Hermes, unsuspected, dying, well-belov'd, saying to the people Do not weep for me, This is not my

race, I see the results of the perseverance and industry of my race, I see ranks, colors, barbarisms

side.) 13 My spirit has pass'd in compassion and determination around the whole earth, I have look'd

In reply to my question he said: "I'm not violently afflicted, as I was the other day, but I am feeling

He called my attention to the dent in the hat.

O'Connor was the earliest of my friends—the first of his race.

I like Scovel's wife, his daughters—spent some of my happiest hours there—at dinners, suppers, about

Hotten.I thank you for the copy of my poems sent by you. It has just reached me.

My letters from Bucke and J.W.W. only outlines.

I won't attempt to convey my impressions of the Falls.

My heart goes out to you more than ever now that I have seen you.

For one thing you remind me so much of my dear mother.

Davis & Warry, & feel that they are more my friends than ever.

What Think You I Take My Pen in Hand?

Good-Bye my Fancy [cluster in Complete Prose Works]

I make no rule for myself about reading: I read what comes to my hand— what pleases my mood.

—rich with ore: finer even than the French to English renderings of my French friend in Washington years

My objection to them all would be that they take up verses centuries old, debate them by rule and measure

Perhaps to be around in case of my serious sickness—to watch, to care for, me: but that is provided for

W. called my attention to this in Bucke's note of the 14th."

"This," he said to me, "is one of my weaknesses: a weakness of long standing."

paper in view—only to relieve my fullness."

Remarked: "I see from my post at the window that it is so—that the bustle is being discarded.

And he added: "It was towards evening—I had already had my dinner. Oh! the day was grand!

My good wishes with you!" Saturday, May 11, 1889

"That is from my Marlton friend, who was also here today."

the noon mail—delivered about 2—and I was sitting here—felt particularly in the mood—had a pencil in my

"I am sure I haven't the least idea—that was not in my mind at all—not till you mention it now."

I don't know whether this would be my elaborate opinion, made up of malice prepense for print, but it

I do not see my idea spoken of at all: yet it seems to me the first necessity of judgment."

After we had shaken hands, I said immediately, handing them out, "I have kept my part of the bargain:

W.: "Good, good—that would be my gospel, too, and this will help him to see America.

"Do so, do so—I will give you a copy of my book to take him. It will help you to open up."

My Annual Report is finished and sent off. I begin lectures to students Monday.

Wallace says, "I feel that my mission is about done. I might go home now, as well as later."

He opened it, my hand dropping to its clasp, which was weak."Morning.""

I am on my way to work—to the busy desk over there in the big town.""Luck!""I tire of it at times.""

Telegram here from Ingersoll, evidently in response to my letter: "We all send words of love and hope

Remarked as to Stedman's criticism on my Poet-Lore piece, "Stick to it—it's the only way."

He pressed my hand, "Well, bless you, you are always good to me." "No, only as one having love."

It will be the whole expression of the design which I had in my mind When I Began to Write.

Now, that is the way it has been with my book. It has been twenty-five years building.

"My poetry," continued Mr.

But I have accepted it all as a part of my work.

Many of my friends have no patience with my opinion on this matter.

But if the weather continues as it is now, I must take another hour for my outings—a noon hour or thereabouts

As to my own copies, he advised: "Take one now—take it along with you": and then jokingly: "It will arm

And finally: "When you write him, send along my love: such a word as that deserves something!"

shall require a closed carriage—but still I will be there: nothing in the ordinary way can now move my

It justifies my faith—gladdens us both. Walt sat there and regarded me happily as I read it.